GIANTS 101

So we the Giants have been in Albany since last Sunday and some players have already stood out at training camp. Here are some of my observations and thoughts based on reports coming out of Albany this week: 

• First, and most importantly, the injury to second year receiver Hakeem Nicks’ right knee was not serious. Giants fans worldwide held their breath, but after being examined by a doctor and receiving two MRIs on his knee, Nicks got the results. Nothing. Not even a hyperextension. Nicks returned to practice last night in full pads and did not miss a beat, making several great catches. Breathe easy Giants fans.
• Chris Canty looks like a monster this year, and is 100% healthy. The defensive tackle looked lean last season, after coming to the Giants as a free agent from Dallas, where he played defensive end. It looks like Canty took his off season workouts very seriously, because the first thing many reporters on site noted was how much bigger he looked, more like a true defensive tackle than an end. Canty added good mass too, looking ripped at his additional weight. His leg is also fully healed as he consistently has gotten pressure from the inside he has and used his long arms to swat down several passes so far in camp. This is all great news, expect big things from him in 2010.
• The other member of the Giants defense who has noticeably added bulk and size this off season is weakside linebacker Michael Boley, who has done so to help him in run support. Boley looks much stronger, but has not lost any of his quickness, and has been flying around practice making plays all over the field. He has also made some plays in pass coverage, and has had at least one interception, though it may have been more. Boley was the Giants best linebacker in 2009, but it was a pretty weak group, and I think he will be even better this season.
• Inside linebacker Jonathan Goff is drawing a lot of praise from practice observers. He has been running with the first team defense and has been making a lot of plays, including chasing down shifty tailback Ahmad Bradshaw in the backfield for a five-yard loss. When the Giants signed linebacker Keith Bulluck, it was assumed that he would be handed the starting job inside, but he has been very limited in practice so far, playing with the second team as he rehabs his knee. Meanwhile, Goff is doing all of the right things, and proving he will not give up the starting job without a fight.
• The Giants top four cornerbacks have all looked fantastic so far in preseason, Corey Webster made the highlight play of camp so far, with a one handed interception of an Eli Manning pass. Terrell Thomas has been solid, intercepting some passes and knocking some balls down. Aaron Ross is fully healthy and in the best shape of his life, making several very athletic plays, including an interception at the peak of his vertical jump which drew a cheer from the crowd. Bruce Johnson’s improvement has wowed the coaching staff, and he has been all over the field this week, he no longer looks lost in the NFL, but like he belongs. New Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell was a defensive backs coach before becoming a coordinator, and he is known for improving secondary play wherever he goes, so hopefully the play of the corners on the field is proof of Fewell’s positive impact on the defense.
• Speaking of Fewell, his enthusiasm and energy are evident on the practice field, and he can be easily heard shouting instructions or criticism at players from the stands. The team seems to like him and his style is a welcome change after the firing of the statuesque Bill Sheridan’s coaching style (or lack thereof).
• Rookie defensive linemen Jason-Pierre Paul and Linval Joseph have both impressed so far in Albany, and both have been rotating in with the first team defense. There is no denying JPP’s athleticism, and he has blown by several offensive linemen, and had what would have been a sack (if there was contact on the QB) on a stunt against the first team offensive line. He also destroyed Bear Pascoe, the Giants best run blocking tight end, to make a stuff in the backfield. He still has a lot to learn about the game, but he is a physical freak who can do one thing well right off the bat, get to the quarterback. Linval Joseph is a mountain of a man, who has long arms and is extremely strong, and he has impressed with his relentlessness on the field. Joseph needs some work on his conditioning and technique, but he could be part of the rotation at defensive tackle right away. I think JPP will come into games against tired offensive lines early on in his career in passing situations and give opponents fits. We should see both of these players on the field earlier than I once thought, possibly as soon as week one.
• The rest of the defensive line has also been phenomenal in training camp, especially ends Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Mathais Kiwanuka. In fact they have destroyed the Giants offensive line, and each player would had have several sacks last night if this was live on the quarterback. Kiwanuka picked up a fumble on a low snap to Eli and ran it back for a score. The Giants even showed the terrifying lineup of Tuck, Osi, Kiwi and JPP during the two minute drill. I would like to predict that Dave Tollefson makes this team, the coaching staff loves him and he has been rotating in regularly at end.  He has made an impact, at one point beating William Beatty on back to back plays for a sack and a stuff on a run five yards in the backfield. The only concerning thing about the defensive line has the health of Jay Alford’s surgically repaired knee, where he is apparently experiencing pain.       
• The Giants running backs are all healthy and have taken to training camp without physical limitations. Brandon Jacobs (knee) seems to be in 2008 form and says his knee is 100% healthy. Ahmad Bradshaw (ankles, foot) looks as fast and quick as ever and is having no problem cutting, really looking impressive at practice last night. Andre Brown (Achilles) is the biggest surprise of all, showing no effects of the injury that cost him his rookie season and was considered career-threatening. Brown has looked great catching the ball out of the backfield and could bring another dimension to the Giants offense as a receiver and third-down back.
• Center Shaun O’Hara’s ankle injury (not serious) has allowed the Giants staff to take an extensive look at the offensive line I have been hoping the team will switch to since the end of last season. With O’Hara temporarily sidelined, Rich Seubert is playing center with David Diehl playing left guard and William Beatty lining up at left tackle. When O’Hara returns, I hope Seubert becomes the backup at center/guard, with Diehl sticking at left guard and Beatty at left tackle, but I could see Tom Coughlin going back to the line that struggled in 2009 and keeping Beatty on the bench for another year. The bad news is, although rookie guard Mitch Petrus and reserve center Adam Koets have shown flashes and played well, the offensive line is getting manhandled by the Giants defensive front in practice. 
• Ramses Barden continues to impress the coaching staff, making highlight catches regularly, using his long arms to reach over defensive backs for receptions. He is running better routes and looks much more adjusted to the pro game than he did last season. With the season ending injury to Domenik Hixon, Barden should be the Giants fourth wide receiver and a consistent jump ball threat in the red zone in 2010.
• The team is clearly expecting a lot out of rookie punter Matt Dodge, who looked shaky early on punting the ball, but has since recovered to nail some booming punts. Dodge is also the holder on field goal attempts, and has done a great job handling a few low snaps and getting them down for kicker Lawrence Tynes, who is perfect so far on field goals. Nice start for the specialists. 
• The entire Giants team reported in shape and Coughlin said everyone made weight. This may or may not be related to Fred Robbins now being a member of the Rams. Gartrell Johnson struggled during conditioning drills, but continues to run hard on every handoff during practice.
• One of the offensive stars of camp is wide receiver Derek Hagan, who has no speed, but catches every ball thrown anywhere near him. Sinorice Moss has also made some outstanding plays in camp. I hope that the play of these two does not keep Ramses Barden on the sidelines for another year.  
• We have a battle on our hands, as the Giants third string quarterback Rhett Bomar is completely outplaying the backup quarterback Jim Sorgi. According to the coaching staff, the more experienced Sorgi’s backup job is not in jeopardy, but Bomar may be doing enough to stick on the active roster. Remember, Bomar is extremely gifted, he would have been a first round draft pick if he was not thrown out of Oklahoma and forced to finish his career at Sam Houston State. I just question weather the Giants carry three quarterbacks, it has not been their style as of late. 
• Now time for a few tough observations – I keep hearing that Clint Sintim is playing well on the strong side and no longer being fooled by misdirection, but I am not hearing his name on practice reports. Where has he been? It sounds like rookie linebacker Adrian Tracy is really struggling with the transition from college defensive end to pro linebacker. He will likely be on the practice squad this season. Travis Beckum needs to get healthy fast, he has missed the last few practices with tightness in his hamstring, and he cannot impress the coaching staff from the bench. Jay Alford is extremely frustrated with the setback to his knee, likely because he knows his spot in the rotation is in jeopardy, as he is in a direct battle with Linval Joseph and Rocky Bernard, who have impressed, for playing time. When will Kenny Phillips actually practice? The word is sometime late next week at the earliest. Where has rookie linebacker Phillip Dillard been? I have not heard his name once. Are the Giants really going to enter the 2010 season with reserve tailback D.J. Ware as the primary return man? If I am Jerry Reese, I am spending most of my time looking for a kick returner, because Ware deep scares nobody. I think we can all agree that he will not be the next Dante Hall.
• Finally, the addition of Antrel Rolle has brought swagger back to the Giants secondary, as he has been a vocal leader on the field from the start of camp. Rolle ended practice yesterday with a interception off of Eli Manning (who would have been sacked in reality) that he high stepped all the way back for a touchdown, and ended with an end zone dance. The coaching staff has raved about new safety additions Rolle and Deon Grant (who sat out last night due to a groin injury) as leaders and talented players. I could not be happier to have the two of them helping the back end of the defense in 2010.